Moderator of the talk, editor-in-chief of Kantipur National Daily, Sudheer Sharma started Conversations by introducing Professor Lok Raj Baral as one of the noted academicians of Nepal who has closely seen, observed and analyzed the transformation of Nepali politics and Nepal’s international affairs.

This edition of Conversations shed light on Professor Baral’s recently authored autobiography “Romaanchit Jiwan.” “Many of you must be assuming this that the title of this book suggests the romantic life I lived so far. However, this autobiography deals about the chapters of my life and the exciting modes I have traveled through,” shared the former Nepali Ambassador to India Professor Baral, who has taught Political Science in Tribhuwan University over three decades and has authored more than two dozen books.

Moderator Sudheer Sharma requested Professor Baral to share about his experiences of coming to Kathmandu decades ago and his affiliations with various political wings of then and the relationships he built with the noted political faces of Nepal.

Professor Baral shared how Kathmandu was just a wide open space when he first visited it and New Road was the only hub where people from diverse profession used to gather to share conversations and ideas.

He said, “I have seen political transitions of Nepal closely. I did try my hands in politics too. However, academics fascinated me more and I chose to become an observer and academician than a politician in the mainstream. I have met and known many noted political faces like B.P. Koirala, Ganesh Man Singh, Manmohan Adhikary and the royals of then. But I was never a spokesperson or yes-man for any of them.”

According to a press release of Indian Embassy, furthermore, Professor Baral added his views on Nepal-India friendly/bilateral relations and his tenure as a Nepali Ambassador of India to Nepal, many of which he has mentioned in Romaanchit Jiwan.“I don’t understand why we think that by simply blaming India over everything that Nepal fails of will bring Nepal its unity and progress. People is nation, don’t we have our own people? When we’re talking about international politics, one cannot just be an idealist but needs to think realistically. Nepal and India share close ties and we both can benefit from each other provided we speak at ground level and make our issues constructively clear.”